Axle and axle-box



(No Model.)

LBURG. -AXLE AND AXLE BOX.

No. 549,'10*3, Patented Nov. 5, 1895.

Hummm- Mii/:6556s,

, ANDREW IGRAHHIL PHUTO-UTHQWASKINGTGN, DE.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS BURG, OF DALLAS CITY, ILLINOIS.

AXLE AN D AXLE-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,103, dated November 5, 1895. Application filed August 9,1895. Serial No. 558,740. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, LEWIS BURG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dallas City, in the county of Hancock and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Axles and Axle-Boxes; and I do hereby declare the fol-lowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

M y invention relates to axles and axleboxes, and has for its object to provide superior means for lubricating the axle and to .more effectually exclude foreign matter from the bearing parts; and with this end in view my invention consists in the several improvements of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of an axle and axle -box embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line ac x of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is aperspective view of a portion of the axle-arm, showing the position of the grooves for oil and the communication between them; and Fig. 4 is a sec-l tional perspective view of a portion of the axle-box.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each ligure of the drawings.

A represents the axle-arm, and Ba cap extending from the axle-bed over the inner end of the arm, an annular space being thus formed between the axle-arm and the cap. The cap B is preferably an integral part of the axle, as shown in the drawings; but it may be of a separate piece of metal rigidly secured to the axle by any suitable means. The bearing part a of the axle-arm is tapered in the usual manner and is provided with two longitudinal grooves C- and d, the former being on top and the latter on the side of the axle. These two grooves are connected by three or more passages e, extending through the axle-arm diagonally to its vertical center, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the functions of which will hereinafter be explained.

F represents the axle-box, adapted to be itted in the hub of the wheel in the usual manner. This box has a tapered bearing portion f, which fits on the tapered portion a of the axle-arm and revolves thereon. The tapered portion of the box has two oppositelyarranged longitudinal grooves g in its inner surface, as indicated in the drawings. These Vgrooves are preferably of the same length as the grooves @and d in the axle-arm. The inner end h of the axle-box is enlarged to such an extent as to leave a space between it and the inner enlarged part C of the axlearm, which is inclosed thereby. The end of the box h is provided with two exterior collars z', which lit loosely within the cap B, and a washer j, of rubber or other suitable material, is placed between the collars 1'. and lits snugly against the inner surface of the cap. The inner end of the box F abuts against a leather washer k, which surrounds the extreme inner end of the axle-arm and abuts against the end wall of the cap B.

rlhe enlarged portion C of the axle-arm has two circumferential grooves I., in which are washers m, of rubber or other suitable material, said washers being of sufficient diameter to frictionally engage the inner surface of the enlarged portion h of the axle-box. A leather washer n, which fitsA over the bearing-arm a, is interposed between the outer end of the enlargedpart of the axle-arm and the outer end of the interior of the part h of the axle-box.

That portion of the axle-arm between the grooves Z is circumferentially grooved, as indicated at G. The object of this groove is to collect and hold any foreign matter which may chance to work past the washers j, 7a, and m into the axle-box.

The outer end of the axle-arm is screwthreadedfor the reception of the nut H, which is screwed up against the end of the axle-box, a leather washer q being used in the nut in the ordinary manner. Over the nut H a capnut I is screwed on the end of the axle-box and revolves with it and eifectually prevents any dust or other foreign matter from reaching the bearing-surface from the outer end of the axle-arm.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that all foreign matter will be effectually excluded from the bearing portion of the axle,

IOO

which is the tapered portion only, for even should any foreign mat-ter find its way to the axle-arm past the washers j and k and the rear washer m it will be effectu ally prevented from passing farther by the groove G and the front washer n. The fact, also, that there is no bearing on the axle-ar1n in the rear of the washer n still further aids to exclude foreign matter from the tapered bearing-surface, since it cannot be worked along to that part, as might be the case if the rear end of the axle-arm was in frictional contact with the axle-box.

In order to keep the bearing-surface perfectly lubricated, one of the grooves g in the axle-box should be filled with oil; also the top groove c in the axle-arm. The oil will pass from the upper groove in the axle-arm to groove d through the passages e and lubricate the bearing-surface as the wheel revolves, while the surplus oil will be carried in the groove g and emptied therefrom into the grooves c at the top of the axle. By this means of circulation when the wheel is revolved the oil will be kept constantly moving and a perfect lubrication of thc whole bearing-surface will be effected.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claiin as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with an axle arm having a tapered bearing portion and an enlarged rear portion connecting the bearing portion to the axle bed, of a cap projecting from the axle bed over the rear portion of the axle arm to form an annular space between thern, an axle box having a tapered portion over the bearing surface of the axle and an enlarged rear portion to surround the rear of the axle arin and not in contact therewith, exterior collars on the rear end of the axle box itting loosely within said cap, and a series of washers interposed between the axle arm, the axle box and the cap, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with an axle arni having a tapered bearing surface and an enlarged rear portion connecting' the tapered portion with the axle bed and having three circumferential grooves, of a cap projecting from the axle bed over the rear portion of the axle arm to forni an annular space between them, an axle box having a tapered portion to fit on the bearing surface of the axle arm, and an enlarged rear portion to surround the rear of the axle arin and not in contact therewith, exterior collars on the rear of the axle box fitting loosely within said cap, a washer between said collars, washers in the two end grooves of the axle arm, a nut on the outer end of the axle a'rin, and a cap secured on the outer end of the axle box to inclose the nut, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with an axle box having oppositely arranged grooves on its inner surface, of an axle arin fitting within the said box and having a longitudinal groove on its upper surface and another groove on its side and passages formed through the axle diagonally to its vertical center to connect said grooves, substantially as and for the pur-` pose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix 1n y signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEIVIS BURG.

XVitnesses:

C. F. LEVIBAUGH, E. KoLL. 

